The Dilemma

This is completely non-knitting until the very end.  Feel free to skip over the first part.

I’ve just finished reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan.  I was introduced to the book at a Cook with the Chef night, sponsored by the CSA (community supported agriculture) that we belong to.  It was given as the door prize.  I didn’t win it, but I was intrigued.  So, the next time I was at a bookstore, I bought it.

It’s a really interesting look at what we eat.  The entire “dilemma” is that of what to eat.  We live in an age and country where we have so many choices.

The author begins with the idea of a completely processed meal.  In this section, he focuses on the surplus of corn and how, because of this surplus, processed corn has been put into our food supply.  It was very interesting and an eye opener for me.  He also goes into how the meat in the grocery store gets there, which is sad and pretty disgusting, though it’s not overly graphic.

He then looks at the idea of organic food and what that really means.  I try and eat as much organic food as I can afford and get, which isn’t that much.  This section made me rethink my ideas of organic.  For example, an organic chicken’s quality of life is really no different than that of a non-organic chicken.  I had a very romanticized notion of what it meant when a package said “organic.”  But, in this section, Pollan also explores what farming can be like if a farmer utilizes the land and animals in a certain way, much like small farmers did fifty years ago.

The last section focuses on the author’s search for a meal that he can make using only those things he has hunted or gathered or grown.  This was interesting, though less so for me than the other sections.  Maybe it was because it isn’t something that I would do in my own life.  The author fully admits it isn’t realistic for most people.

This book has made me reexamine what I can do to buy my food from local farmers and how I can change my way of eating so that it’s more healthy and natural.  Our local CSA is thinking about offering a fall/winter subscription, which would be something I would be interested in.  It’s fairly easy now to eat fruits and vegetables that are local, but would be more difficult to do in the colder months.  We’re also going to get a small freezer so that I can freeze things like peaches, plums, and tomatoes when they’re in season.  I’m not ready to try canning, but maybe next year.

I highly recommend this book if you’re a little bit interested in the idea of “slow foods.”  The idea of slow food cooking is that you use natural, non-processed food and use what is in season.

Okay, now for a little bit about knitting:

I just got my first issue of Interweave Knits.  I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed with any of the issues I’ve gotten and this one is no exception.

My favorite patterns:

Tangled  Yoke Cardigan- I love this for it’s simplicity and details.  It’s so feminine.

Cobblestone Pullover-  If I ever am brave enough to knit Josh a sweater, it would probably be this one.

Mirepoix Bodice- So pretty!  But, steeks! Eek!

Minimalist Cardigan- I love the details and the fact that it’s something that could be worn with a variety of things.

I tend to like clothing that is close fitting and feminine, rather than looser and knit with bulky yarns.  There are other patterns in the magazine that I like, but I wouldn’t personally wear them.

I finished the first Retro Ribbed Sock the other day and I’ve got a good start on the second.  I’m really pushing myself to knit more socks.  With all of the yarn I have, I need to use it.  It’s a good thing I really love knitting socks.